Drew Brees Admires Loyalty of Devin Mockobee: 'Nobody Represents Purdue Better'

Before his senior season started, Mockobee had played for three head coaches in five years. Most players won't stick around one program with that kind of turnover in today's college climate. But the Indiana native talked about the value of his engineering degree from Purdue and how much he loves putting on the black-and-gold uniform.

"That's what being a college student-athlete is all about," Brees said. "It's taking pride in everything that you do — the way you do everything is the way you do everything. How you conduct yourself in the locker room with your team as a player, but also as a leader. The way you value that Purdue education — those are the type of guys we want."

On Saturday, Mockobee's senior season will begin as Purdue hosts Ball State at Ross-Ade Stadium. There's hope that Odom and his staff can turn things around quickly and help this senior class, including Mockobee, taste success one more time before their time in West Lafayette concludes.

He also enters the 2025 campaign needing 1,170 yards to pass Mike Alstott as Purdue's all-time leading rusher.

Brees hopes to see Mockobee break the record and enjoy a year full of individual and team achievements this year. To him, nobody has earned it more than the former walk-on running back from Boonville.

"He takes such pride in the program, such loyalty to the program. I think he appreciates the opportunity Purdue gave him, and he wants to pay that back," Brees said.

"Those are the type of guys you want to win for, and those are the type of guys you want to build a successful program. He deserves to have all the success in the world."

Brees partnering with Abbott and Big Ten Conference

For the 2025 college football season, Brees is partnering with Abbott and the Big Ten Conference for the We Give Blood Drive, aimed to help "tackle the world's blood shortages."

The donation period runs from Aug. 27 through Dec. 5.

"I'm excited to team up with healthcare leader Abbott and the Big Ten Conference to announce the second year of the We Give Blood Drive," Brees said. "I gave blood for the first time because somebody brought me along to do it with them. I had never thought about doing it before. I began to realize what a big impact that made."

In addition to serving a good cause, there's also additional incentive to donate. The school that with the most blood donations will receive $1 million to advance student and community health initiatives.